Tag Archives: Opportunity Scholarships

Emergency Motion Filed Over Opportunity Scholarships Ruling

Posted on August 23, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

The attorneys for the parents in the case of the NC Opportunity Scholarships filed an emergency motion late Friday afternoon. I’ve obtained a copy of the motion: Emergency Motion and Appdx. The case being made is that this ruling has put the education of hundreds of children in limbo.
I’ve got a copy of the motion…

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Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EDUCATION, LEGAL, Opportunity Scholarships (OSP) | Tagged Opportunity Scholarships | Comments Off

Ruling Against Opportunity Scholarships For Low Income Kids To Be Appealed

Posted on August 22, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Yesterday, Judge Hobgood ruled against Opportunity Scholarships for low-income and at risk kids. Today, we find that NC Attorney General Roy Cooper will appeal the decision.

N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper, a Democrat who has raised concerns about parts of the Republican legislative agenda, quickly announced plans for his office to appeal, according to Noelle Talley, his spokeswoman.

“Our attorneys believe that this is a constitutional issue that must be decided by the appellate courts,” Talley said in a statement shortly after the ruling. – News and Observer

Wait…For once in recent memory, Cooper is actually doing his job? So, what gives? Either he clearly sees this Judge is correct in his ruling or Cooper thinks this is a way to extend the BlueprintNC style slamming of Republicans on Education. Probably the latter if you that a closer look at the pushback. I’ve said this multiple times before, this is about protectionism of a system and not concern for these kids.

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Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), BlueprintNC, EDUCATION, LEGAL, Moral Monday, NCAE, Occupy 2.0, Opportunity Scholarships (OSP) | Tagged Opportunity Scholarships, Public Schools First NC, Roy Cooper | 4 Comments

Judge Hobgood Rules Against Vouchers For Low-Income And At Risk Kids

Posted on August 21, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Shorter NC Judge Hobgood: Ghetto schools for ghetto kids #ncpol

— T Bradley (@TBradleyNC) August 21, 2014

Judge Hobgood has overruled himself on school vouchers. First he imposed an injunction, then he lifted the injunction pending another hearing and now he’s permanently blocked low-income and at risk kids from attending schools their parents would choose. Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EDUCATION, Parental Rights | Tagged Opportunity Scholarships, Vouchers | Comments Off

Opportunity Scholarships Allowed Ahead Of Future Ruling

Posted on July 31, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

Judge Hobgood ruled yesterday that North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarships will be allowed to proceed – for now.
RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina judge won’t block a state agency from distributing taxpayer money to cover private school tuition in advance of a hearing to determine whether the program championed by Republican lawmakers is legal.

Wake County Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood said Wednesday he won’t issue an injunction blocking the State Educational Assistance Authority from paying out $10 million in government-funded scholarships to students who won a lottery for tuition assistance to attend private or religious schools.
– News and Observer

Sources say that Judge Hobgood’s ruling today allowed Speaker Tillis and Senator Berger’s motion to intervene. This allows them to be parties to the suit. By denying the plantiff’s injunction request, this ruling allows children who have already been selected to receive Opportunity Scholarship funds.

I’ll have more updates when they become available. Overall, this is a win for students in North Carolina and for school choice. Continue reading →

Posted in A.P. Dillon (LL1885), EDUCATION, LEGAL, Opportunity Scholarships (OSP) | Tagged Opportunity Scholarships | Comments Off

Injunction On NC Opportunity Scholarships Lifted

Posted on May 15, 2014 by A.P. Dillon

In case you missed it, yesterday the injunction on the NC Opportunity Scholarships program imposed by Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood was lifted. Low-income families now have an opportunity to send their children to private schools. The Opportunity Scholarships program had a base amount to start with of $10 million, which would only cover 2,400 of students to start. It’s worth noting that the program is so popular, they had to hold a lottery. Not everyone thinks assisting low-income students is the right thing to do. For example, the NC Association of Educators (NCAE):

“We feel that the program is not only unconstitutional but is also a reckless use of money,” – Mark Jewell NC Association of Educators via News and Observer 5/14/15

Wait..Serving low-income students is a reckless use of money? Gee, tell me more about how your serving the best interest of the NCAE children? Continue reading →